Kevin Frisch: Turning gold into straw

New York Gov. David Paterson’s appointment of a U.S. senator made for less controversy than Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s, but just barely.

Kevin Frisch

New York Gov. David Paterson’s appointment of a U.S. senator made for less controversy than Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s, but just barely.

Paterson, like Blagojevich, was charged with filling a Senate vacancy. Unlike Blagojevich, he didn’t put on a straw hat and a red-and-white striped jacket and announce to would-be candidates, “Hur-ray, hur-ray, step right up!”

Not that it wouldn’t have made things easier.

Paterson’s selection to succeed former Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand, was reasonably well received. His process at arriving at that decision was not.

Paterson was accused of being overly secretive in assessing the candidates and of talking about his decision-making too openly — a neat trick, actually. The process, mired as it was in back-room drama, slimed Caroline Kennedy, divided state Democrats and left Paterson being either criticized or snubbed on all sides.

Instead of his final word on the matter being his introduction of Gillibrand, it was his wan explanation that he wouldn’t pursue the source of unsubstantiated accusations leaked from his office about Kennedy after she withdrew from consideration for the Senate seat.

Why Kennedy made her interest in the post known — indeed, why she was interested at all — is something of a mystery. She is clearly not a politician. That’s not a criticism; if anything, it’s the opposite.

Politicians must conduct business and discuss issues in public; many politicians live for the limelight. Sen. Chuck Schumer showed up unannounced at my nephew’s high school graduation last spring to say a few words — that’s how much he loves the public.

Kennedy, not so much. And given her past, who can blame her?

But a serious candidate for the U.S. Senate can’t conduct a drive-by tour of upstate cities, as Kennedy did, ignore the press, as Kennedy did, and expect to score points, as Kennedy did not.

Kennedy has a right to be soured by the experience and Paterson’s part in it. She’s not alone. Among others reported to be miffed:

• President Barack Obama, who was a backer of Kennedy, perhaps not forgetting her family’s early support of his presidential candidacy.

• Bill and Hillary Clinton, for Paterson even considering Kennedy after the Kennedy clan threw its support to Obama. (The selection of Gillibrand may have salved this wound somewhat; she was Hillary Clinton’s favored successor.)

• State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, a more politically seasoned candidate who was passed over by Paterson. He failed to attend the Albany press conference at which party faithful filled a stage as Paterson announced Gillibrand’s appointment; later issuing a one-paragraph press release saying, “I am sorry I could not be with her today, but look forward to many opportunities to partner with her in the future.”

• State Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, another passed-over candidate and an anti-gun crusader. She announced plans to immediately start raising money to challenge Gillibrand, who has a 100 percent voting record with the National Rifle Association. It’s never a good sign when others in your own party announce plans to challenge you the weekend your appointment is announced.

• Actress Fran Drescher, who cited her experience as a public diplomacy envoy for women’s health issues as qualifying her for the job.

• State Republican Party Chairman Joseph Mondello, who called the process “a circus” that was “an affront to all New Yorkers.” But come on; did you expect the GOP chairman to congratulate the Democratic governor?

Two others who can’t be thrilled; Gillibrand, who gets to kick off her Senate career under a cloud of carping and controversy, and Paterson himself, who had what Blagojevich might call — did call — “this thing that is (expletive) golden.”

Paterson wasn’t looking to line his pockets with the Senate appointment, but he could have gilded his political credentials. He has done much the opposite.